ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari on a 3 day review program of NH projects in North east and Sikkim deliberates on issues and progress of projects
On 1st day of his 3-day review program of NH projects in North East Region and Sikkim; Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the progress of NH projects in Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Nagaland with Chief Minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union MoS General V.K. Singh, Senior Officials of the Ministry & State and Contractors.
Discussions related to land acquisition issues, progress of ongoing projects, proposed projects, use of new technologies, disputes & arbitration and possible financial interventions were discussed at length.
Shri Gadkari also reviewed the delayed projects in the 4 States to understand the reasons for delay and issued specific instructions to get them on track.
Shri Gadkari directed all officials for the speedy completion of projects. He stressed upon the importance of coordination and partnership between Central and State agencies to develop top-class transport infrastructrue in North Eastern States.
Ministry of Finance
Rajasthan becomes the 5th State to complete Urban Local Bodies  reforms
Gets additional borrowing permission of Rs.2,731 crore
Additional borrowing permission of Rs.10,212 crore granted so far to 5 States for undertaking ULB reforms
Rajasthan has become the 5thState in the country to successfully undertake Urban Local Bodies  reforms stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and has thus become eligible for additional reform linked borrowing. Accordingly, the State has been granted permission by the Department of Expenditure to mobilise additional financial resources of Rs.2,731crore through Open Market Borrowings.
Rajasthan has joined four other States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Telangana, who have completed ULB reforms. On completion of this set of reforms, these five States have been granted a total additional borrowing permission of Rs.10,212 crore. State wise amount of the additional borrowing permitted is as under:
|
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Sl.No.
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|
State
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Amount 
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1.
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Andhra Pradesh
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|
2,525
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|
2.
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Madhya Pradesh
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2,373
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3.
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Manipur
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75
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|
4.
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Rajasthan
|
|
2,731
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|
5.
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|
Telangana
|
|
2,508
Reforms in ULBs and the urban utilities reforms are aimed at financial strenghtening of ULBs in the States and to enable them to provide better public health and sanitation services to citizens. Economically rejuvenated ULBs will also be able to create good civic infrastructure.
The set of reforms stipulated by the Department of Expenditure to achieve these objectives are:
 The State will notify:
- Floor rates of property tax in ULBs which are in consonance with the prevailing circle rates  and;
- Floor rates of user charges in respect of the provision of water-supply, drainage and sewerage which reflect current costs/past inflation.
 The State will put in place a system of periodic increase in floor rates of property tax/ user charges in line with price increases.
In view of the resource requirement to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India had on 17th May, 2020 enhanced the borrowing limit of the States by 2 percent of their Gross States Domestic Product . Half of this special dispensation was linked to undertaking citizen centric reforms by the States. The States get permission to raise additional funds equivalent to 0.25 percent of GSDP on completion of reforms in each sector. The four citizen centric areas identified for reforms are:
- Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System
- Ease of doing business reform
- Urban Local body/ utility reforms
- Power Sector reforms.
Linking mobilization of a part of additional financial resources to reforms has pushed reforms by many States in the four citizen centric areas. So far 11 States have implemented the One Nation One Ration Card System, 8 States have done ease of doing business reforms, 5 States have done local body reforms and 1 State has completed power sector reforms. Total reform linked additional borrowing permission issued so far to the States who have done the refoms stands at Rs.65,493 crore.
Ministry of Railways
Two Infrastructure Related Railway Projects sanctioned for Odisha
Quick watering facility to be installed at Sambalpur City Railway Station at a cost of Rupees 5.43 Crores.
Provision of drainage System at the west side of Balasore Railway Station at a cost of Rupees 6.49 Crores.
EMPHASIS ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SAMBALPUR CITY RAILWAY STATION : RS 5.43 CRORES SANCTIONED BY RAILWAY BOARD
To facilitate the availability of Water in Train Coaches at Sambalpur City Railway Station, a new system called “Quick Watering System” has been approved by Railway Board at a cost of Rupees 5.43 Crores.
Quick watering facilities will help in better water supply and availability of water in passenger coaches. This facility not only provides a fast mechanism to provide water to all passengers in train, it also avoids wastage of water. Apart from this, a 24-coach train can be filled up within five minutes and multiple trains can be watered.
Railways provide water as a passenger amenity in all the train coaches. Watering of coaches is regularly done at nominated Railway Stations so that passengers do not have to face water crisis while making train journey. But, watering of trains also takes a lot of time. Under Conventional System, a train of 24 coaches normally takes about 20 minutes to fill water. Presently, there is no such facility at Sambalpur City Railway Station. Hence, the new “Quick Watering System” which will be provided shall provide the benefit to the passengers of the enroute trains, especially, the trains passing through the Bilaspur-Bhubaneswar route.
By using quick watering system, a 24 coach train can be filled up within 5 to 6 minutes. Moreover, multiple trains can be watered at the same time. In the Quick Watering System, wastage by Spillage of water can be eliminated. Water is supplied through a six inch pipe with high horse power motors to the train coaches through a SCADA System. The SCADA system automatically controls the water flow. It also has the facility of monitoring through SMS. The valves can also be operated remotely. The SCADA system helps to record water consumption and also helps to identify any unauthorized use of hydrants or leakages. By implementing this system, Railways has ensured provision of fresh water to all its passengers and also reduce wastage & misuse of water.
► EMPHASIS ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OF BALASORE STATION : RS 6.49 CRORES SANCTIONED BY RAILWAY BOARD
Indian Railways is taking regular initiatives to add more passenger amenities and upgrade the basic facilities at all the stations over the zonal railways. As a part of it, developmental work is also going on at Balasore station in Kharagpur Division of South Eastern Railway. Recently, a fund of Rs 6.49 Crores has been sanctioned by Railway Board for provision of drainage arrangements at the west side of Balasore station.
Major upgradation work has been undertaken at Balasore station under “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme”, which envisages development of stations with a long-term approach. The fund sanctioned by Railway Board will ensure the proper sewage system at Balasore station.
RoM
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Ministry of Defence
AIR MARSHAL S PRABHAKARAN ASSUMES COMMAND OF IAF’S WESTERN AIR COMMAND
Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran assumed command of Delhi based Western Air Command  on 01 March 2022.
The Air Marshal is a graduate of National Defence Academy, Pune and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot on 22 December 1983. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College  Wellington and National Defence College, New Delhi. An experienced MiG-21 pilot and a category ‘A’ qualified flying instructor, Air Marshal Prabhakaran has nearly 5000 hours of flying experience.
In a service career spanning over 38 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted important command and staff appointments. These include command of two flying stations and IAF’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team . He has served as Directing Staff at DSSC, Commandant of the College of Air Warfare , Defence Attaché at the Indian Mission at Cairo, Egypt, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Intelligence [ACAS ], Director General  and Senior Air Staff Officer of the Gandhinagar based South Western Air Command. He was Commandant of the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad prior to taking over the present appointment.
The Air Officer is a recipient of Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Air Marshal S Prabhakaran succeeds Air Marshal Amit Dev who superannuated on 28 Feb 22 after more than 39 years of distinguished service in IAF.
AYUSH
Shri Shripad Yesso Naik to inaugurate National Health Editors’ Conference on Yoga in New Delhi on 5th June
The Minister of State for AYUSH , Shri Shripad Yesso Naik will inaugurate the 3rdNational Health Editors’ Conference on Yoga at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga  in New Delhi on June 05, 2018. The Ministry of AYUSH is organizing this Conference in collaboration with the Press Information Bureau  and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga . This Conference on ‘Evidence Based Recent Innovative Research on Yoga – A Review of Yoga Research’ is being organized to mark the beginning of International Day of Yoga, which takes place on 21st June every year.
More than 100 Health Editors from National and Regional media organizations are expected to attend the conference.The aim of the conference is to give insight to the media persons about the scientific aspects of yoga & its benefits for human health.
Eminent Experts of Yoga and Allied Sciences like Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor, SVYASA University, Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Director General - Amity Directorate of Science & Innovation, former distinguished scientist and Chief Controller R&D , DRDO and Dr. Shivarama Varambally MD, Additional Professor, NIMHANS will present Research Papers Presentation on Yoga.
One of the main highlights of the Conference is a Workshop on “How to Manage Stress through Yoga”. The Workshop will be conducted by Dr. I.V Basavaraddi, Director, MDNIY along with Yoga experts.
RJ/SK
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Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘New GS 2023’, Auction for Sale  of ‘GoI Floating Rate Bond 2033’, Auction for Sale  of ‘New GS 2035’, and Auction for Sale  of ‘ New GS 2050’
The Government of India  has announced the Sale  of  ‘New Government Stock, 2023’ for a notified amount of Rs6,000 crore  through yield based auction,  ‘GoI Floating Rate Bonds, 2033’ for a notified amount of Rs 3,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘New Government Stock, 2035’ for a notified amount of Rs 9,000 crore  through yield based auction,, and  ‘New Government Stock, 2050’ for a notified amount of Rs 5,000 crore  through yield based auction. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs2,000 crore against each of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on October 29, 2020  using multiple price method.
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stockswill be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system onOctober 29, 2020. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on October 29, 2020  and payment by successful bidders will be on November 02, 2020 .
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
National Foreign Trade Directory Released
(Minister of state of MSME released national foreign trade directory
Giriraj Singh, Minister of State  for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India & MSME Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, released a directory to facilitate the exporters during the recently concluded International SME Convention- 2018 in New Delhi. The directory provides information about export-import offices of policy makers, regulators, facilitators and all export promotion councils, commodity boards, development authorities, trade & industry organisations, MSMEs which have been set up, approved or sponsored by Government of India.
The Minister said that the directory will be useful for exporters, importers, traders, manufacturers, MSMEs, authorised economic operators, export import management students, new IEC holders and all those involved in export trade.
The directory has been published by International Trade Consultants, New Delhi.
UPSC
Recruitment Results finalized by UPSC in January,2019
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of January, 2019. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here for details
Ministry of Science & Technology
Reduced anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 imposed lockdown period indicated by decreased Colored Dissolved Organic Matter  build-up and nutrients in the Mandovi Estuary
Goa: May 22, 2021
Monitoring the water quality is of utmost necessary for managing the health of the water body. Water quality can be assessed by its physical, chemical, biological, and microbiological characteristics of water. One of the chemical parameters of importance is the dissolved organic matter in the water , which is the largest reservoir of organic carbon in the aquatic environment. A fraction of this organic carbon absorbs light and imparts color to the water and hence known as colored dissolved organic matter . The origin of CDOM can be either natural or from anthropogenic sources. CDOM absorbs light highly in the UV and blue regions of the solar spectrum and hence can have a positive or negative impact on the ecosystem. If a high amount of CDOM is present in the water it will not allow light to penetrate the water column and hence primary production will be hampered. While low levels of CDOM allow penetration of UV light to greater depths affecting the marine biota. The Mandovi and Zuari are the two main estuaries of Goa and have been exploited in recent years for various anthropogenic activities. The CDOM in the Mandovi Estuary was monitored since 2014, wherein high CDOM absorption was observed in the summer  due to anthropogenic activities. In 2020 following the Government of India imposed COVID-19 lockdown , a significant decrease of CDOM by almost 2 folds was observed in the midstream region. The Sentinel-2 satellite data also showed similar variations of CDOM absorption with low values during 2020. Apart from this, the concentration of dissolved nutrients in 2020 was also low compared to the previous reports. There was a complete standstill of anthropogenic activities such as operating pleasure cruises, water transport systems like barges, shipbuilding activities, and commercial establishments following the government-imposed lockdown, which might have reduced the CDOM and nutrients in the estuary.
Publication: Dias, A., Kurian, S., Thayapurath, S., and Pratihary, A.K. . Variations of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter in the Mandovi Estuary, Goa, During Spring Inter-Monsoon: A Comparison With COVID-19 Outbreak Imposed Lockdown Period. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:638583. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.638583.
NIO/VK/PM
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Central Government gives nod to Punjab to re schedule Wheat procurement period
The request made by Government of Punjab for rescheduling wheat procurement period during Rabi Marketing Season  2021-22, due to late maturity of crop & surge in Covid-19 cases in the State, has been considered and the request of the State Government was approved by Government of India for rescheduling the wheat procurement period in Punjab from 10th April, 2021 to 31st May, 2021 in place of 1st April, 2021 to 25th May, 2021.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
CHILD MARRIAGE
The National Crime Records Bureau  compiles and publishes information on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. The published reports are available till the year 2020. The State-wise data including that of Kerala is available on the website of National Crime Records Bureau , https://ncrb.gov.in. As per the information available from the year 2018 – 2020, total 33 cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006  have been reported in the State of Kerala.
The Government has enacted the ‘Prohibition of Child Marriage Act , 2006’. The Government also undertakes awareness drives, media campaigns and outreach programmes and issues advisories to the States/ UTs from time to time to highlight evil effects of this practice. Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the scheme of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ’ in which creation of awareness on matters pertaining to gender equality and discouraging of child marriage is an important focus area.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights  also undertakes awareness programmes and consultations with stakeholders from time to time in this regard. In addition, Government of India has introduced CHILDLINE 1098, a 24/7 telephone emergency outreach service for children in crisis which responds with suitable interventions to calls for any form of assistance which a child requires, including for prevention of child marriages in coordination with police, Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, District Child Protection Units etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares link of MSME Competitive  Scheme
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared the link of MSME Competitive  Scheme and said that this is a a part of our efforts to strengthen the MSME sector, which is a key pillar of India’s economic growth. The MSME Competitive  Scheme has been launched under MSME Champions Scheme.
In response to the tweet by Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane, the Prime Minister tweeted;
"A part of our efforts to strengthen the MSME sector, which is a key pillar of India’s economic growth. lean.msme.gov.in"
Ministry of Science & Technology
IGSTC Industrial Fellowship launched to support young Indian researchers for industrial exposure at German industries and industrial R&D institutions
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre  Industrial Fellowship programme was launched by Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India Prof. Ashutosh Sharma on the occasion of IGSTC’s 11th Foundation day on 14th June 2021.
“This fellowship would encourage capacity building and would encourage students to think of challenges faced by industry and research solutions for them. It will encourage applied research, technology development and industrial experience in German setup for young researchers,” said Prof. Ashutosh Sharma.
The IGSTC Industrial Fellowship shall support young Indian PhD students and Post-Doctoral researchers in Science & Engineering for industrial exposure at German industries and industrial R&D institutions.
Supported by an attractive grant for a maximum of one year, the fellowship aims to motivate young Indian researchers towards applied research and build capacity to foster innovation and technology development through exposure at advanced German industrial ecosystems.
The programme was launched at a virtual meeting in the presence of the IGSTC Governing Body Co-Chairs & members, representatives from Indian & German Governments, Industries and Academia.
SK Varshney, Head, International Division, DST and Indian co-chair of IGSTC, while congratulating all stakeholders, mentioned that the Centre has created a niche for itself by propagating Indo-German cooperation in applied research and technology development by industries. He requested all scientific agencies and the industry to utilize services of the centre in furthering bilateral scientific cooperation of industrial relevance.
“This programme will bring talented Indian researchers to Germany to work with German companies or government institutes for applied science. As fellows, they can create a long-lasting relationship between both countries for the future,” said Ms Kathrin Meyers, Director, BMBF and German co-chair of IGSTC.
“Since the Centre is promoting research led by industry and supported by academia/research organisations, it also provides a unique platform which should be utilized for newer cooperation”, she added.
IGSTC was established by the Department of Science & Technology , Govt. of India & Federal Ministry of Education and Research , Govt. of Germany to facilitate Indo-German R&D networking with emphasis on industry participation, applied research and technology development. IGSTC, through its flagship program ‘2+2 Projects’, has been supporting innovation-centric R&D projects by synergising the strength of research and academic institutions and public/private industries from India and Germany.
More information on the categories, eligibility, grant and Fellowship guidelines can be found at www.igstc.org .
Ministry of Defence
EARLY INTERVENTION CENTRE "PRAYAS" INAUGURATED AT ARMY HOSPITAL 
To alleviate the suffering and instil confidence in parents in dealing with differently abled children a model “Early Intervention Centre- Prayas" has been established at Army Hospital . The “Early Intervention Centre” is a comprehensive state-of-the-art facility which is dedicated to the children with special needs. Children of Armed Forces personnel upto six years of age suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, sleep and language delay and other disabilities will benefit immensely from this venture. The Centre was inaugurated by Mrs Archana Pande, President, Army Wives Welfare Association  in the presence of Gen Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff on 12 September 2022 at the Army Hospital . The event was also attended by Surg Vice Admiral Rajat Datta, Director General Armed Forces Medical Service .
The newly established Centre has facilities of advanced screening for hearing and visual defects, detection of Autism, clinical identification of various syndromes and therapeutic facilities like Special Education, Sensory Integration Occupational and Physiotherapy, Behaviour Modification and Nutritional Guidance. It is integrated with Vatsalya, a paediatric super speciality discipline, which has been redesigned with a child friendly Walt Disney theme. A multi-disciplinary approach combining expertise of various therapists will work together to enhance the capabilities of the special children.
Army Hospital  provides tertiary care referral facilities and is the Centre of Excellence in various subspecialties. Addition of EIC "Prayas" will help in early diagnosis and institution of necessary therapeutic interventions to differently abled children during the best window of opportunity, which is between birth and 6 years of age. This Centre will achieve a quantum leap in therapeutic outcome of children with developmental delay and thereby aims to achieve immense improvement in caregiver satisfaction.
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